Head of ICC special task force on Pakistan cricket, Giles Clarke is hopeful of international cricket returning soon to the country that has not been toured by any big team since the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team bus in 2009.

Pakistan hasn’t been toured by any big team since the 2009 terrorist attack on a Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore. (Getty Images)

The head of the International Cricket Council’s special task force on Pakistan cricket, Giles Clarke, is hopeful that international cricket will return soon to the country. On a visit to Lahore, Clarke said that he could understand the feelings of the Pakistani people who are passionate about cricket but have not been able to see overseas teams play in the country since 2009.

“I feel sad and can understand how the Pakistani people feel. But I am also hopeful that with the security situation in Pakistan improving, the day is not far off when the Pakistani people will be able to see their team play against overseas sides at home,” Clarke told a news conference that he addressed along with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan.

Giles, who was given a demonstration of the security arrangements that the board has planned with the Punjab government for overseas players and teams, also visited the National Cricket Academy. No international team has visited Pakistan since 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, an incident in which six Pakistani policemen were killed. An umpire and a player were wounded too.

The PCB chief said the board was working on its plan to have the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore in March as well try to convince the West Indies team to play a few T20 matches as well. He said the PCB officials had been in touch with the Federation of International cricket players association and would try to meet them in person to give them a realistic briefing on the security situation in Pakistan.